Afghanistan cricket has come under the spotlight after two senior all-rounders, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, were fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in separate international matches.
The sanctions were confirmed by the International Cricket Council following incidents during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and a bilateral T20I series against Zimbabwe.
During Afghanistan’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Group D clash against South Africa, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for violating Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The charge relates to disobeying an umpire’s instruction during an international match.
The incident occurred at the start of the 14th over of Afghanistan’s innings when Nabi engaged in a discussion with on-field umpires regarding a wristband worn by South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi.
While the matter did not escalate further, the ICC deemed the interaction a breach under Level 1 regulations.
In a separate incident, Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib was also fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to showing dissent at an umpire’s decision. The event took place during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare.
The controversy unfolded in the 11th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when an LBW appeal against Tashinga Musekiwa, off Rashid Khan’s bowling, was turned down.
Visibly frustrated, Naib bowed in a mock prayer gesture and called for a review despite the absence of the Decision Review System in the match.
In addition to the financial penalty, Naib received one demerit point, his first in the past 24 months. He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
Despite the disciplinary setbacks, Afghanistan bounced back strongly in the series. After losing the opening match, they secured a convincing 50-run win in the second T20I and sealed the three-match series 2-1 with a tense three-wicket victory in the decider.
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 underway and Afghanistan aiming to establish consistency at the global level, maintaining discipline on the field will be crucial for the team’s long-term ambitions.
